Phil Birsh

Phil Birsh, the owner, CEO, and President of Playbill, tells of the Broadway world during the AIDS epidemic and recounts his time serving on the board of an early Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, working to provide financial support, nourishment, and advocacy for those suffering from HIV/AIDS. Ever since his brother came out as gay, Birsh has been an active supporter of the queer community. However, he also describes the environment of the 1970s, '80s, and '90s in which he felt as though homophobia was more than tolerated, which he witnessed through sentiments expressed by his family, schoolmates, or work colleagues when he worked on Wall Street. Birsh implores people to continue fighting, to not give up, for that is the only way change occurs.